‘Fragile and conflict-affected states’ (FCAS) constitute an increasingly important category of aid policy and action. This paper argues that the category comprises a large and heterogeneous set of countries, problematizing coherent policy response which is often awkwardly split between boilerplate strategy and case-by-case approach. In both respects, efficiency of aid ...» more
Library
This e-library contains more than 4500 external publications on governance, social development, conflict and humanitarian issues. It includes academic and grey literature selected for its basis in good quality research and coverage of a range of perspectives. Policy-oriented summaries of each document are provided, plus links to the full text.
Radicalisation and al-Shabaab recruitment in Somalia
This study is based on interviews with former al-Shabaab fighters. It identified a complex array of reasons for why they joined the organisation. Interviewers developed a profile of typical al-Shabaab recruits and identified factors facilitating their recruitment, including religious identity, socioeconomic circumstances (education, unemployment), political circumstances and ...» more
Our right to safety: women human rights defenders’ holistic approach to protection
Women Human Right Defenders (WHRDs) are often targeted for their gender and the nature of their job, that is, defending women's human rights. This publication analyses the various protection mechanisms that have been developed, both nationally and internationally, for WHRDs at risk. It also analyses the sexual threat and abuse faced by WHRDs in the course of their work, in ...» more
Gender justice and social norms – Processes of change for adolescent girls: Towards a conceptual framework
This publication presents the analytical framework for the current phase (year two) of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) DFID-funded multi-year policy research programme, ‘Transforming the lives of adolescent girls’, which explores gender justice for adolescent girls in Ethiopia, Nepal, Uganda and Viet Nam. The current phase of this programme explores the changes and ...» more
Politically Smart, Locally Led Development
This report highlights evidence that donors can work politically, and that this improves outcomes. It examines seven cases, and finds that keys to success included iterative problem-solving and brokering relationships to discover common interests. The paper argues that donors need to be politically informed and astute to assess the scope for change, and to make good choices ...» more